Abyan (South24) 

Yesterday, 7 soldiers from the Southern Forces were killed and 8 others were wounded in explosions in Abyan governorate, east of Aden.

A security source told "South24 Center" that two separate explosions caused by explosive devices targeted military vehicles in Mudiya district, in the center of the governorate.

The first explosion targeted a military truck transporting water at the entrance to "Wadi Omran" area, leaving a number of soldiers injured.

The second bombing also targeted a military vehicle that was on its way to aid the victims of the first explosion, killing the other soldiers.

In a statement by the spokesperson, the Southern Forces mourned the dead and injured soldiers in the two attacks.

The statement said, "We mourn to our people the martyrdom of a group of soldiers in two terrorist bombings in Abyan governorate who were on a mission to pursue extremist members."

The bombings are among several targeting incidents carried out by AQAP against the Southern Forces in recent months in the governorates of Abyan and Shabwa.

In mid-September, the Southern Forces were able to control the largest military camp for AQAP in Wadi Oemran, Mudiyah district.

At the beginning of this year, the Southern Forces announced the start of the second phase of operation "Arrows of the East", which targets the AQAP presence in the center of Abyan governorate.

Related: Abyan: The Start of the 4th Phase of the «Arrows of the East» Against AQAP 

A prominent Southern military commander announced the formation of 5 military brigades under the name of the "Backup and Support Force" to strengthen the security services in Abyan governorate.